Orangutans, Komodo Dragons & the Temples of Java
Java · Krakatau · Borneo · Flores · Komodo · Rinca
- Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
- Dates: 2027 & 2028
- Group Size: Small group — 6 to 12 persons
- Destinations: Indonesia — Jakarta | Java | Krakatau | Kalimantan | Borneo | Flores | Komodo | Rinca
- Starts: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Ends: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Meal Basis: Fully inclusive throughout — all meals, activities, and park fees as listed
ABOUT THIS JOURNEY
Indonesia is one of the most extraordinary archipelagos on earth — a chain of over seventeen thousand islands stretching across three time zones, sheltering more endemic wildlife species than almost any nation on the planet. This sixteen-day journey moves through the finest of them: from the ancient city of Jakarta to the volcanic shores of Krakatau, through the cathedral rainforest of Kalimantan in search of the Bornean orangutan, and finally across the deep-blue waters of the Flores Sea to the dragon-haunted landscapes of Komodo and Rinca.
There is probably no more humbling experience than spending time in the company of a wild orangutan — watching those extraordinary eyes, that intelligence, that unmistakable family tenderness — in the ancient forest of Tanjung Kulon or Tajung Putting National Park. The Kalimantan rainforest is 130 million years old, one of the oldest on the planet, and home to the orangutan, the gibbon, the proboscis monkey and dozens of other primate species found nowhere else on earth. Alongside them, the mangrove forests, river channels, and flooded forest lakes shelter the slow-moving Irrawaddy dolphin and the remarkable pygmy elephant.
Java offers its own wonders: the colossal Buddhist monument of Borobudur — the largest in the world — rising through morning mist above the rice paddies of central Java; the volcanic drama of Krakatau, seen from the water; and the cultural richness of Yogyakarta, heart of classical Javanese art and tradition. The journey ends in the remote Komodo National Park, where the world’s largest living lizard — the Komodo dragon — walks the dry hillsides of islands that feel like the end of the earth. Between encounters, the snorkelling on Komodo’s coral reefs is among the finest in Southeast Asia.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
- Jakarta city tour — Old Batavia and the Javanese Puppet Heritage Museum, exploring the Dutch colonial heritage of Indonesia’s extraordinary capital
- Island of Krakatau — a boat cruise to one of the world’s most famous active volcanoes, Anak Krakatau, rising from the ocean in the Sunda Strait
- Tanjung Kulon National Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the last refuges of the Javan rhinoceros, with spectacular snorkelling on pristine coral reefs
- Snorkelling on the coral reefs around Krakatau and the islands of Unjung Kulon — extraordinary tropical marine life in remarkable clarity
- Search for the Banting and Maura deer, the Silvery Gibbon, and the extremely rare Javan rhinoceros in the dense forests of Unjung Kulon
- Borobudur Temple — the world’s largest Buddhist monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, explored at sunrise from the upper terraces
- Kalimantan Rainforest — home of the orangutan, the gibbon, the proboscis monkey, and dozens of primate species in one of the oldest forests on earth
- Cruise the Sekonyer River in Tajung Putting National Park by traditional klotok riverboat, spending three days in the heart of orangutan country
- Close encounters with wild and semi-habituated orangutans at Camp Leakey — one of the most significant wildlife research centres in Asia
- Tanjung Puting National Park by riverboat — observing proboscis monkeys, Silver Leaf monkeys, gibbons, hornbills, and the extraordinary forest at water level
- Komodo National Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site — home of the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard, encountered on guided walks through the island’s dramatic savanna landscape
- Rinca Island — a second Komodo dragon encounter in a different and wilder island setting, with open grasslands and extraordinary ocean views
- Snorkelling at Pink Beach, Komodo — among the finest coral gardens in all of Southeast Asia, in the nutrient-rich waters of the Flores Sea
- Expert specialist guiding throughout by the WWJ team
DESTINATIONS
Jakarta & Java, Indonesia
Krakatau & Unjung Kulon, Java
Kalimantan — Borneo Rainforest
Flores, Komodo & Rinca Islands
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
All activities, transfers, meals and game-viewing as listed are included. Fully inclusive throughout.
Day 1 | Jakarta, Java
On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Jakarta. The city is the capital of Indonesia, set on the north-west coast of the island of Java, formerly known as Batavia. It is a dazzling modern city with its origins in trading and the spice trade. Afternoon and evening at leisure to recover from your flight and explore the hotel’s surroundings.
Overnight — breakfast included. Dinner optional, fully included.
Days 2, 3, 4 | Carita — Unjung Kulon National Park
In the morning, embark on a tour of Jakarta — Old Batavia, once the centre of the walled city under Dutch colonial administration in the 17th century. In the colonial streets, ships unloading spices from Ter Tempere of the archipelago once passed through this area to trade. Visit the Javanese Wayang Puppet Museum and stroll through Fatahillah Square. After lunch, continue on to Carita, your base for the next three days.
We visit the archipelago of islands of Unjung Kulong National Park, protected in the remote west tip of Java. The UNESCO World Heritage site has remained an outcrop of a few rain forest and surrounding wildernesses, with hidden white sandy beaches and traditional wooden boats holding generations of tradition. The National Park is one of the world’s most pristine natural ecosystems — home to the endemic Javan Rhinoceros, as well as other wildlife such as Silvery Gibbons, Javan monkeys, Banteng, Lutung, Long-tailed macaques, Java mouse deer, Lutung, and Rusa deer. There are also 270 species of reptiles, around 57 species of mammals, and 240 species of birds.
Our first cruise is to the shores of Krakatau/Anak Krakatau — Anak being the offspring of Krakatau. We cruise on to Rakata Island (Mother of Krakatau) for a picnic lunch and snorkel at the Lagoon Zone Coral Reef, before wandering in the late afternoon.
We will also do a day cruise through the Sunde Strait to explore the mangrove forests and Gout Island where we will stop and snorkel. After a picnic lunch, we canoe up the Cigenter River in search of patterned animals, monkeys, and crocodiles. Rhino sightings are very rare — although it is a privilege to know they are still here, walking in this forest. You will arrive back at your hotel in the afternoon on this day.
Overnight — breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days 5, 6 | Jakarta — Borobudur
We depart for the airport in Jakarta for our onward flight to Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta is a town known as the centre of classical Javanese fine arts and culture. From here we transfer to Borobudur and arrive late afternoon. Evening at leisure.
While in Borobudur we will experience one of Buddhism’s most grandiose monuments, the UNESCO World Heritage site Borobudur Temple, at sunrise. This tour will reveal the hidden secrets of the world’s largest Buddhist temple. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight — breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Days 7, 8, 9 | Kalimantan Rainforest — Tanjung Putting National Park
Today we transfer to Semarang Airport to catch a flight to the island of Borneo, the third-largest island in the world. We move through the streets of the port town of Banjarmasin to the harbour. Our adventure begins with a cruise up the Sekonyer River into the Kalimantan Rainforest. The Kalimantan rainforest is 130 million years old, making it one of the oldest rainforests in the world — it is also one of the last remaining natural habitats for the endangered Orang-utan. These large Asian Primates share the forests with other private species: Gibbons, Langurs, Macaques, Proboscis Monkeys, Squirrels, as well as nocturnal primates, the Slow Loris, and the Tarsier.
Reach our klotok (heavy Bornean river boat), moored at a world-famous Orang-utan rehabilitation centre. During our visit we stroll through the surrounding jungle with a local naturalist guide and have the opportunity to feed some of the centre’s resident Ladies, returning to the lodge in time for dinner.
Visit Tanjung Puting National Park in the Kalimantan Rainforest, where we will also have more opportunities to catch sight of Orang-utans, proboscis monkeys, and gibbons.
Overnight — breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 10 | Semarang
We transfer back to the airport for our onward flight to Semarang on the island of Java. We will overnight in the city this evening. Evening at leisure.
Overnight — breakfast and lunch included. Dinner: No Dinner.
Days 11, 12, 13, 14 | Flores — Komodo Island — Rinca Island
After breakfast, continue to Semarang Airport for your flight out to the island of Bali, with an onward flight to the island of Flores. The island was given its name by Portuguese explorer, meaning Flowers. Belo is a 15th-century colonial base, Labuan Bajo, a fishing town at the western end of Flores, combines natural beauty with nearby attractions such as the Komodo National Park, manta rays, tidal bore spots, and stunning gateway reefs close to many little islands.
Spend the days enjoying the natural beauty of the Komodo National Park, travelling by speed boat to Rinca Island — the first island base to explore the world-heritage landscapes, the home of the fearsome Komodo Dragon. We explore the lizards on foot and enjoy a picnic lunch as well as the opportunity to go snorkelling at Rinca’s captivating Pink Beach.
We have two days at leisure at this protected forest, to relax and enjoy the remote island.
Overnight — breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 15 | Jakarta
We board our flight from Labuan Bajo and then on to the airport for our flight back to Jakarta. On arrival in Jakarta, a short layover overnight and day room (double use) gives the time to relax and reflect on your adventures, and wait for your flight connection home.
Overnight — breakfast included.
Day 16 | Jakarta — Departure
Final day. After breakfast, at leisure a day to relax and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Services of a specialist WWJ Wilderness Guide throughout
- All accommodation as listed, on a fully inclusive basis
- All meals as specified throughout the itinerary
- Domestic flights within Indonesia as specified
- Twin/double accommodation on board the klotok riverboat in Kalimantan
- All bottled water on tours, activities, and with meals
- All national park and conservation area entrance fees
- Gratuities for local guides and staff
- All ground transfers and boat transfers as described in the itinerary
• Snorkelling equipment and guided snorkel excursions at Krakatau, Unjung Kulon, and Komodo
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International flights to and from Jakarta
- Entry visa to Indonesia — most nationalities require a visa on arrival or an e-visa in advance
- Travel insurance — strongly recommended
- Premium brand drinks (Champagne, premium spirits, imported wine)
- Laundry and items of a personal nature
- Any activities not listed in the inclusions above
- Any costs arising from flight delays, cancellations, or circumstances beyond WWJ’s control
IMPORTANT NOTES
- A minimum level of physical fitness is required for this itinerary — forest walks at Unjung Kulon and Komodo involve uneven terrain; guests should be able to walk several kilometres on foot
- The klotok riverboat in Kalimantan operates as a live-aboard vessel — accommodation is in simple but comfortable twin cabins with mosquito netting; guests should be prepared for a genuine wilderness experience
- Domestic flights between islands are an integral part of this itinerary; schedules are subject to change and some flexibility is required
- Luggage restriction for light aircraft and boat transfers: soft-sided bags only, no hard suitcases or rigid-framed cases
- Single supplement available on request — please contact WWJ for details
- A 30% non-refundable deposit is required on booking confirmation, together with copies of all passports and a completed WWJ Tour Booking Form
- All payments by Electronic or Telegraphic Bank Transfer
- All prices in USD and subject to change due to exchange rate fluctuations or unforeseen cost increases
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Visas & Passports
Most passport holders, including US citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival (VoA) in Indonesia for visits up to 30 days, or an e-visa in advance for stays up to 60 days. Requirements can and do change; please verify current entry requirements for your nationality well in advance of departure. It is your responsibility to hold correct documentation. WWJ accepts no liability for failure to do so.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is STRONGLY recommended for all WWJ travellers. Your policy should cover trip cancellation, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, personal accident and liability, loss of baggage, and travel delays. Ensure the policy covers water-based activities including snorkelling, boat travel, and guided walks in remote wilderness environments. Do not travel without adequate cover.
Health & Vaccinations
Indonesia carries risks of malaria in certain areas — particularly Kalimantan (Borneo) and the eastern islands including Flores and Komodo. Please consult your physician or a specialist travel medicine clinic well in advance of departure for current advice on antimalarial prophylaxis. Recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, and rabies. Yellow Fever vaccination may be required depending on your country of origin and recent travel history. Check the latest health advisories for Indonesia before travel.
Climate
Indonesia straddles the equator and is tropical year-round. June falls in the dry season for most of the archipelago — an excellent time to visit Komodo, Java, and Borneo. Temperatures range from 25°C to 33°C. Humidity is high in the rainforest. Light, breathable clothing is essential; long sleeves and trousers are required in forests (for insect protection) and at temples (for modesty). A light rain layer is advisable even in the dry season.
Clothing & Packing
Lightweight, neutral safari clothing is recommended for forest and wildlife activities. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are essential for forest walks and temple visits. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes with ankle support are required for forest and island walks. For Borobudur and Javanese cultural sites, modest dress is expected — shoulders and knees covered. Good quality insect repellent, sunscreen, sun hat, and reef-safe sunscreen for snorkelling are all essential. Soft-sided bags only for boat and aircraft transfers.
Currency
The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is the local currency. US Dollars are widely accepted at hotels and major tourist sites. ATMs are available in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali but not reliably in remote areas. Most activities and meals on this itinerary are fully inclusive so cash requirements in the field are minimal. Carry some small USD notes for personal purchases and gratuities.
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